What are the most relevant Bible passages to the Quaker faith? Mark Wutka shares his list.
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Discussion Questions:
- Were you familiar with all of these passages? Which speak to you the most?
- What is your relationship with the Bible? Do you see Bible reading as necessary or helpful for a full spiritual life?
Transcript:
If we were to say, “What’s a scriptural foundation of Quakerism?”, there are verses we would point to and say, for instance, “This is where we got our name. This is where have our understanding of God. This is where the idea of unity comes from.” (Although it’s mentioned in many places.
Top 7 Most Quaker Bible Verses
These verses are verses that are both important to me and are verses that I hear other Friends use, either directly by quoting them or indirectly by living out what they describe. Other people may have a different list; these are mine.
#7 Ephesians 4:1
So the first verse is Ephesians 4:1.
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
The reason I had thought of that one is because we like the phrase, “Walk worthy of your calling.”
#6 Isaiah 6:8
A lot of times when I’m in meetings with people traveling in the ministry or talking about ministry among Friends, Isaiah 6:8 comes up a lot, because it has to do with being willing to serve.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
#5 Matthew 5:33
The testimony of not swearing oaths dates back to the early Friends, and it is really tied to the testimony of integrity: that we should be telling the truth all the time.
But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair black or white. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’.
An oath is sort of saying, “You know, I lie sometimes, but this time I’m really telling the truth.” And if you’re always telling the truth, you shouldn’t have to swear an oath.
#4 John 15:12
The Religious Society of Friends took its name from John 15.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
The reason I like this one is it’s an encapsulation of not just our origin, but the idea of loving one another is central to us, just as the understanding of “God is Love” is central.
#3 John 1:9
This was one of the ones that George Fox used so many times you can’t really count. You’d have a very long list if you listed all the references.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
A lot of times when people say there’s “That of God” in others, it’s speaking to the idea that, because everyone has that of God, you should treat them a certain way. I think that’s a very worthy way to look at it, but the other way that it would’ve meant in George Fox’s time was that we all have access to God and the Spirit that teaches us is available to everyone, and so it’s also helpful to focus on that of God in ourselves and listen to that.
#2 Matthew 22:37
Of course in Jesus’ ministry, people were always asking questions to try to trip him up, and in this particular case, one of the people he was debating with asked him, “What is the greatest commandment?” and he said,
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
So again, it goes back to love. You love God, you love your neighbor. Everything else derives from those relationships.
#1 Galatians 5:22
So this verse is two verses. It’s Galatians 5:22 and 23, and it often serves as a touchstone for people because it’s about the fruit of the Spirit.
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
For me, and I know for a lot of others, this is a great test of: “Are we in touch with the Spirit?” That when we are, these things are what should flow from us.
The views expressed in this video are of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Friends Journal or its collaborators.
thank you
I really like you list. It gives me something to think and to meditate on. 🙂
Since my children were small enough to understand language I have told them that if they grow up and only know and live one scripture I would be proud of them.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
Thank you. These are wonderful verses.
For my own list I would add 1 John 2:27 (REB):
But as for you, the anointing which you received from him remains with you; you need no other teacher, but you learn all you need to know from his anointing, which is true and no lie.
This speaks to me of the Friends’ idea of the Light of God in all of us that can be a true guide if we set our egos aside and open ourselves to it.
Peace.
Thank you for sharing. I really like Gal. 5:22. I believe we can measure our own growth on our spiritual path by the expression of these fruits in our lives.
Thank you for this sharing, which is timely for me.
A great list. I might add Micah 6:8: “He has shown you what is good O man, and what does the lord require of you bu to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Alan, Micah 6:8 is a passage I cherish and one which I shared with a small group in Auckland’s central prison last Sunday.
Many thanks for all those. I will send them around. My favorite, however, is the one shared by Barbara….”…whatever you do for the least of these, my brethren, you do for me”.
What an inspiring list! I am grateful.
Let me add several that were dear to my heart before I came Among Friends, but which prepared the way… giving a sense of connection between the Quaker tradition/practice, and the Judeo/Christian heritage in which I was raised:
I Kings 19:12, about the Presence of God being in “The still, small voice.”
Psalms 46.10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Isaiah 30:15, “In stillness and quietness…”
These truths have ALWAYS been there for us, under whatever denominational label.
Christ’s ministry constantly emphasized love and care for others. He dealt with the most outcast, lepers and Samaritans
The inclusion of Matthew 22:37 where he condenses the 10 Commandments into 2 are, to me, emphasized in a following verse. Loving God is one part of M 22:37, followed by what is known as the Golden Rule, love thy neighbor as thyself. Later in the chapter, M 23:40 is said,”in as much as you do unto the least of these, you also do to me”.
I am helped more if I turn this around. If I show hate, intolerance, and disrespect for others I show the same to God. This violates the first part of M 22:37 which commands me to love God.
All of the Old Testament laws regarding the treatment (punishment) of others are cancelled.
Very interesting and spirit-filled ministry which I’ve just found. A great treasury of videos.
I grew up in the Quaker faith and would like to get back to those roots, particularly the social issues of climate change, peace initiatives, and poverty. I find that the United Methodist Church, which I now attend, is also involved in these issues, but am interested in the Quaker viewpoint. Our next discussion in our Bible study is sustainability. How are the Quakers involved in this issue?
am blessed with Quaker journal am a Quaker by faith and I feel a lot of peace love unity when ever I hear or come across my fellow faithfuls am glad I love to get more from u thank u and God bless
Agreed, Margaret, always a blessing to see one’s friends, to know we do not know each other materially, yet we’re all here for the same thing we all hold common, a verse that helped me when i was a teenager was Galatians 5:16
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature”
my life was turned around and saved (most literally) by religion, it took me some time to contemplate them all and what i believe in, but in the end i dedicated myself to being a Quaker, and having all of you as Friends is more then i could ask for, walk with Jesus and use your life correctly, he did not give it to us to throw away.